Are You The Chosen One?
by Reverend Scott Rogers
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| ABCCM Executive Director Scott Rogers admires the artwork of Cintha Vachon, a displaced artist and ABCCM women\’s shelter resident who enjoys painting wall Murals, and is looking for work. photo by Cathryn Shaffer |
Have you ever wondered why life is so hard? At ABCCM, I see how hard some people have it, how unfair things can be, how severe the addiction, how persistent the lying; how violent and cruel things happen to good people. I struggle with these issues and sometimes even try to wrestle with God – as Jacob did.
I invite you to consider God\’s side. As I read the Scriptures and look at
those that refer to the Evil One, I find he is a liar, he is addicted,
and he is criminally insane. The Evil One weaves a web that catches
many — tripping them up, convincing them that it is easier to be self
centered, to tell a lie, to cheat or be oppressive. When I read
Scriptures about Heaven, there are wonderful references to the focus on
praise, but there are also pictures about the conflict between good and
evil.
How does God prepare us as His people for living and serving fully in
His Kingdom? He says He has “Chosen Ones.” He has chosen us to imitate
Him. I believe this means that He must prepare us, as Jesus said – to
care for the “least of these.” How are we going to know how to deal
with the desperation that comes from hunger if we have not fed others?
How are we going to understand the depression and isolation that
infects our homeless if we have not welcomed in the stranger? How will
we deal with those who are criminal if we have not visited those in
jail? How will we bring healing if we have not visited and cared for
the sick?
There are times when we are called in mass to raise up against
injustice, inequality, disparities and oppression. But I find the
greatest reward as a Chosen One is in choosing the opportunities to
engage my brothers and sisters in need.
One woman was a repeat offender in our jail. When she let in the Word
of God and saw it as a “lamp unto her feet” through two caring
volunteers, then her life changed. Upon release, she went to the Women
and Children\’s Shelter. While she tried several different jobs and
training programs, she found that the desire of her heart was to start
her own kind of cleaning business.
Just when things were going very well, she became ill with an infection
and was seen at our free clinic. Within days, the medicine took hold;
she was back on her feet and being productive. She obtained housing and
got help to stock her pantry with food and received furniture through
our Crisis Ministry. At every step, there were other organizations that
also pitched in and helped. Her success is because the Chosen Ones of
God understood their servant role and did not seek judge or condemn but
offered tangible grace and mercy. As Chosen Ones, they snatched her
from the webs of the Evil One and not only saw her faith restored, but
also her mind, heart and soul.
We at ABCCM invite the Chosen Ones to come for a tour and see the many
opportunities to better prepare us for service to others in the Kingdom
of God. But the real benefit comes to each volunteer who finds his or
her own life better equipped and better fulfilled in service to God.
Please give us a call 259-5300 and find an opportunity to serve, or
visit our website at http://www.ABCCM.org
His Kingdom? He says He has “Chosen Ones.” He has chosen us to imitate
Him. I believe this means that He must prepare us, as Jesus said – to
care for the “least of these.” How are we going to know how to deal
with the desperation that comes from hunger if we have not fed others?
How are we going to understand the depression and isolation that
infects our homeless if we have not welcomed in the stranger? How will
we deal with those who are criminal if we have not visited those in
jail? How will we bring healing if we have not visited and cared for
the sick?
There are times when we are called in mass to raise up against
injustice, inequality, disparities and oppression. But I find the
greatest reward as a Chosen One is in choosing the opportunities to
engage my brothers and sisters in need.
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| Crisis center volunteers (L-R) Frances Kraus and Frances R. Antonich. Photo by Cathryn Shaffer |
ABCCM is about creating opportunities to feed the hungry or offer a cup
of cool water. We give clothes to those in need. We visit those in jail
and prisons. We offer healing to the sick through medical, dental and
pharmacy at a free clinic. We welcome in the stranger — no matter how
addicted or deluded in their mental health — through our two facilities
that serve homeless men, women and children.
One woman was a repeat offender in our jail. When she let in the Word
of God and saw it as a “lamp unto her feet” through two caring
volunteers, then her life changed. Upon release, she went to the Women
and Children\’s Shelter. While she tried several different jobs and
training programs, she found that the desire of her heart was to start
her own kind of cleaning business.
Just when things were going very well, she became ill with an infection
and was seen at our free clinic. Within days, the medicine took hold;
she was back on her feet and being productive. She obtained housing and
got help to stock her pantry with food and received furniture through
our Crisis Ministry. At every step, there were other organizations that
also pitched in and helped. Her success is because the Chosen Ones of
God understood their servant role and did not seek judge or condemn but
offered tangible grace and mercy. As Chosen Ones, they snatched her
from the webs of the Evil One and not only saw her faith restored, but
also her mind, heart and soul.
We at ABCCM invite the Chosen Ones to come for a tour and see the many
opportunities to better prepare us for service to others in the Kingdom
of God. But the real benefit comes to each volunteer who finds his or
her own life better equipped and better fulfilled in service to God.
Please give us a call 259-5300 and find an opportunity to serve, or
visit our website at http://www.ABCCM.org
